Another 20 Brilliant Rock Songs From The 1970s

There are so many to choose from!

I am in total agreement with Paul Combs when he states that the 1970s really did rock! Being a ’69 baby, rock music from the 70s and 80s was highly influential in my life. I am thankful for the people that helped me discover great music during this era.

Here’s Paul’s article:

So, Paul asked “what 70s rock rocked you?”

Like Terry, David and Pierce (please do read their linked stories!), I’ve taken that as a challenge and quickly thrown together a list of my own! (I, too, also left disco by the wayside … ).

Many of the 20 songs below mean a lot to me for various reasons, some quite personal. I hope you also like some or many of them. I’ve provided just a quick note on each, and included the playlist at the end. Oh, and I’ve chucked in a few videos. Dig in!

1. ‘Child in Time’ Deep Purple (1970). My discovery of heavy rock was eye-opening to say the least. The whole Sabbath-Purple-LedZep thing was totally captivating for this youngster. This track from ‘In Rock’ is so compelling and emotive. Changes of tempo, killer solo, and Gillan’s wail. Amazing music from the “Mark IIa” lineup. The version on ‘Made in Japan’ is brilliant.

2. ‘No Matter What’ Badfinger (1970). Delving deep into power pop in my teens and 20s took me way back to Badfinger, Raspberries and Big Star. This is an all-time classic, and should be essential listening.

3. ‘Cross-eyed Mary’ Jethro Tull (1971). I’ve written elsewhere about my estranged uncle who lost the plot and stopped communicating with his family. However, before he did so, we had some good times, and he introduced me as a 12-year-old to the wonders of Jethro Tull. And taught me to drive the farm ute. And make a slingshot from steel bar and spear gun rubber. ‘Aqualung’ will always be an absolute fave album.

4. ‘Hocus Pocus’ Focus (1971). I don’t remember when I discovered this piece of art, but I do remember thinking it was totally mental. Brilliant, but mental. Heavy rock riffs, shredding guitars, and break downs featuring yodelling, flute and accordion solos. Just crazy. But so good! I’ve heard people say that it’s either five minutes too long, or 25 minutes too short!! [Lordy, that’s two bands in a row featuring flute!]

5. ‘Black Dog’ Led Zeppelin (1971). Still one of the greatest, and heaviest, things I have ever heard. A blues riff played backwards, Bonham’s thunder and the roaring Les Paul. Pure genius.

6. ‘Children Of The Revolution’ T. Rex (1972). Heavy, yet a very cool groove. Features one of the great vocal melody hooks ever. And the “yeah” and “no way!” vocals hinted at what an amazing heavy rock voice Bolan had. Have a listen to the 12 minute jam version!

7. ‘Vicious’ Lou Reed (1972). The Warhol-inspired opener from the landmark ‘Transformer’. Bowie and Ronson made this album so great, solidifying Reed’s status as a solo artist.

8. ‘Horror Movie’ Skyhooks (1974). Chart-topping single from the legendary Australian band, and a favourite song when I was a kid. From the album ‘Living In The 70s’ which spent 16 weeks at number one. Six of the ten songs were banned from radio airplay because of the lyric content!

9. ‘Fox On The Run’ Sweet (1974). The first single I bought, at six years old. Loved it, and still do. I still have the seven inch, which plays ok. A personal treasure.

10. ‘Emerald’ Thin Lizzy (1976). A stunning piece that closes the album ‘Jailbreak’. The song is based on a traditional Irish melody, and finishes with blazing Robertson-Gorham duelling guitar solos. Epic. Get this live version into ya!

11. ‘Livin Thing’ ELO (1976). Another hook-laden pop-rock song from the masterful Jeff Lynne. A big radio hit from my childhood.

12. ‘Barracuda’ Heart (1977). Such a cool song, featuring a great riff (the gallop!), Ann’s soaring vocal, excellent drumming and incredible production. I use the outro as my ringtone!

13. ‘Sheena Is A Punk Rocker’ Ramones (1977). They had so many great songs, but this one is my fave. What a hook! Sixties pop meets the Marshall stack.

14. ‘Know Your Product’ The Saints (1978). Maintaining the punk sound of their first record, this time with some brass thrown in. The Saints should always be in the punk pioneer conversation alongside Ramones and Sex Pistols. Classic Aussie punk rock!

15. ‘Denis’ Blondie (1978). Another group with so many great songs. However, this cover just gets me, I love it! How many other songs can you name where there is a language change with the key change??

16. ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Damnation’ AC/DC (1978). Just killer stuff from the ‘Powerage’ album. Records like this and ‘Highway To Hell’ had the band on an upward trajectory, and will always have us wondering where the band would have gone if Ronald Belford Scott had not left us.

17. ‘Just What I Needed’ The Cars (1978). Their first single, and an all time fave. This and ‘Let’s Go’ are my favourites because I preferred the Benjamin Orr lead vocals. Don’t worry, I still love Ric, his songs, and his production skills!

18. ‘Teenage Kicks’ The Undertones (1978). Such an incredible song. Superb guitar tone, superb everything, this song just had it! I can understand why John Peel loved it so much. He reportedly gave it a 28 star rating (out of five)!

19. ‘Making Plans For Nigel’ XTC (1979). Brilliant single from the band, written and sung by bass player Colin Moulding. I adore the bass playing! Exceptional stuff. The casual fan probably thinks XTC is all about Andy Partridge, however, Moulding wrote their first three charting singles.

20. ‘Cold, Cold Change’ Midnight Oil (1979). The song that turned me onto the band, creating a life-long fan. From their second album, ‘Head Injuries’. I accidentally came across the song on a hits-of-the-day compilation record that I won from our local radio station.

Here’s the playlist:

Feel free to comment on my selections. Thanks for reading, and listening!!

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